“We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose” (Romans 8:28).

We often think about God being our strength during difficult times. A popular phrase is “God will not bring you to it if He isn’t going to take you through it.” I hear this quoted by people who are in difficult situations. A way of saying, “Yes this is hard, but I am not alone. God is with me.” This is also another way to say that we know that all things work for good for those who love God. No matter what the world throws at you, it will turn out ok. But is this really true?

I have a dear friend who would quote Romans 8:28, especially when her husband was dying from leukemia. He was in the best hospital, with the best doctors, receiving the best care, yet what should have been easily treatable took a “worse case” turn. “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.” I asked myself “How can this be good?” “How can this be God’s purpose to leave a widow and young child?” I had to go back and really look at this scripture. For a long time, I classified this saying as a cliche’, just a saying to help in difficult times. My search for clarification proved me wrong.

Paul’s words are not “just a catchy saying to smooth rough times.” They are a call to action. Yes, action. In the original Greek, Romans 8:28 reads “God works together with those who love him toward the good.” God needs those who love him to work with him. In Lynn’s case, her work was keeping faith as she lived through the most difficult time of her life. Her faith brought friends to Christ, and deepen the faith of others. Her “work” sent me on a journey for clarification of a single verse, “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose,” or as written in the Greek, “God works together with those who love him toward the good.”

This verse isn’t just for trying times or difficult days. Working with God, because we love Him, brings good every day. What work has God called you to do with Him?